Rosenmontag

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Rosenmontag (literally "Rose Monday") is the highlight of the German "Karneval" (carnival), and is on the Collop Monday before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. This event can be compared to the American "Mardi Gras," though is celebrated on Monday, not Tuesday. It is celebrated in German-speaking countries, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, but most heavily in the "Hochburgen", German carnival strongholds, which include the Rhineland (especially Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz).

It is not a national holiday, but schools are closed on Rosenmontag and the following Tuesday in these strongholds and many other areas. Many companies also give employees a whole day off, although every now and then there are efforts to cut that free holiday in some companies.

The Karneval season begins at the 11th of November and the "street carnival" starts on the Thursday before Rosenmontag, which is known as Weiberfastnacht ("women's carnival").

Celebrations usually include dressing up in fancy costumes, dancing, parades, heavy drinking and general public displays of debauchery.

Things quiet down the next day, for it is "Veilchendienstag" (Shrove Tuesday). Rosenmontag also takes place all over the country and is very popular, people that watch the parade are also dressed up, sweets are thrown everywhere and everyone says "Hellau" or "Alaaf" - a great experience for the young and young at heart.